As a travel trailer owner, you know that one of the biggest challenges on the road is handling. Whether it’s wind gusts, passing trucks or tight turns, controlling your rig can be difficult. One solution to this problem is installing sway bars.
Sway bars help control side-to-side movement and improve overall stability of your travel trailer. They are essential for safe towing and can be installed by anyone with basic mechanical skills.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to install sway bars on your travel trailer.
Step 1: Choose Your Sway Bar System
Before buying a sway bar system, make sure it’s compatible with your trailer hitch configuration. There are two types of sway bar systems:
– Weight Distribution Sway Bars: This type connects to weight distribution hitches that use spring bars for leveling.
– Friction Sway Bars: These connect between the tow vehicle and the trailer tongue ball mount using friction pads that resist sideways motion from crosswinds or passing vehicles.
Both types work great in reducing sway movements but have their unique installation processes—choose the appropriate one based on your manufacturer recommendations or personal preference.
Step 2: Prepare Your Trailer And Tow Vehicle
Make sure both vehicles are levelled and parked together as if they were attached ready for towing because there must be an equal amount of weight applied to each set of wheels during setup. Now measure both sides’ height at points where you plan to attach brackets (usually near leaf springs).
Consider applying thread locker when attaching bracket bolts since vibrations might cause loosening over time while driving down bumpy roadsides making them less efficient at controlling swaying motions; red-colored thread locks substances offer stronger hold than blue ones recommended by manufacturers..
Ensure all necessary tools such as wrenches(hand-held torqueing is imperative), sockets and drill bits needed during installation process nearby before starting – not having them will lead into multiple setups wastes precious hours and could result in damaging your travel trailer.
Step 3: Attach Sway Bar Brackets To RV Chassis
Typically, sway bar kits come with two brackets that must be installed onto the frame of your trailer. You’ll need to measure and choose spots beside the leaf spring attachements on both sides; these will align with sway bar pieces ensuring deployment improves stability when towing. When marking by measuring travel trailers’ frames, ensure symmetry by replicating placements on either side.
Once you have marked the positions, drill holes using recommended drill bit sizes depending on your manufacturer specification. Follow instructions from manufacturer directions for installation since hose hole spacing from one chassis to another may differ significantly.
After drilling, insert bolts sent along with brackets through each hole drilled; threading nuts over them loosely without tightening before removing clamps through bolt heads gently tapping over four ends till shank presses against bracket respectively before releasing clamps now fully rooting into swaying bars. Always refer to manufacturers’ recommendation manual or user guide during this process as a misaligned attachment can damage chassis geometry altogether.
Step 4: Install Sway Bar Assembly
With one end securely mounted onto travel trailer’s frame as above,reposition protective bushings around it then mount remaining half (usually done at tow vehicle’s ball joint) lining up in-line pins opposite jaws locking levers while paying attention not strictly tighten using adjustable wrenches just yet until attaching clips are added later firmly holding setup intact throughout longer travels where vibrations might be significant.
For weight distribution hitch installations – slide required friction pads between adjustment cams made operational via lever under coupler housing while pressing upward thus compressing springs attached into place after activating step 3 preceding detailed procedures hereupon adding inline pin(s)and lever/cam ends including lubricated washers followed alternatively do same (steps three-four) for noted WDH systems preferably assisting a trusted mechanic if uncertain about torsion load equals levelling angle requirements(its one primary precaution to observe behind towing a recreational vehicle)
Step 5: Add Sway Bar Clips
To complete installation, use sway bar clips to effectively lock in the caps of your setup’s in-line pins – these are typically included with kits bought from you supplier or can be purchased online if required.
When properly installed and adjusted, sway bars minimize travel trailer wiggle issue hence creating more comfortable and safe driving. Follow instructions given by experts during installations for added safety and comfort while traveling with stable RVs on the road.
Conclusion
Installing sway bars is an important step towards safer travel for your family and cargo. While it may seem daunting at first glance, following these simple steps we have outlined here makes the process manageable even as a DIYer or enlisting professional help where necessary should not be taken lightly; this task must be done correctly right from choosing which type of HHA kit system suits your needs best down to alignment accuracy when clamping brackets together. Once successfully completed, confidently enjoy miles without erratic wobbles that puts stress on tow vehicles quite unnerved!